{
  "id": 15809033,
  "title": "Malawi Inflation Falls to 19.4% in September",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/malawi-inflation-falls-to-19-4-in-september",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-20T20:58:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Rio Times",
    "slug": "the-rio-times",
    "url": "https://www.riotimesonline.com/malawi-inflation-19-4-september-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malawi's inflation rate fell to 19.4% in September, marking the first time in over four years that annual price growth dropped below 20%, according to the National Statistical Office. This decrease came primarily from easing food prices, which fell to 12.5% in September from 13.4% in August. However, non-food inflation, including fuel and imported goods, remained high at 31.5%, with economists warning that gains in inflation are fragile. The Reserve Bank Deputy Governor noted that non-food inflation is \"sticky,\" linked to past exchange-rate changes that raised import prices. Despite the decline, food inflation outside of essentials like maize remained high at 31.5%, and economists caution that the inflation rate could rise again if non-food inflation continues to climb. Malawi's central bank forecasts average inflation of 22% for 2026, with the government's 2026/27 national budget assuming inflation of 15% by year-end. The United States, being the largest shareholder of the International Monetary Fund, is the lender Malawi is seeking support from, and the IMF's progress toward a loan was discussed during a recent visit by an IMF team.",
  "summary": "Malawi's annual inflation eased to 19.4% in September, its lowest since May 2022, but non-food prices are still rising at 31.5% a year. The post Malawi Inflation Falls to 19.4% in September appeared first on The Rio Times .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}